Light emitting device

Abstract

A light emitting device includes a time delay mechanism in electrical connection with a power source for time shifting at least a portion of a power signal outputted by the power source and a plurality of light emitting units formed by at least a light emitting diode (LED)structure, each light emitting unit being driven alternately and sequentially using the power source and the time delay mechanism.

1. A light emitting device (LED), comprising:
 a time delay mechanism in electrical connection with a power source for time shifting at least a portion of a power signal outputted by the power source; and 
 a plurality of light emitting units formed by at least a light emitting diode (LED)structure, each light emitting unit being driven alternately and sequentially using the power source and the time delay mechanism; 
 the plurality of light emitting units being formed by a single LED, wherein the LED includes; 
 a top surface with a light emitting region, the top surface including a transparent or semi-transparent electrode layer; 
 a heterojunction within the device structure, the heterojunction comprising a p-type and an n-type semiconductor layer; 
 a plurality of electrodes positioned on the top surface, each being electrically connected to one of the p-type and n-type semiconductor layers, wherein at least a first and a second of the plurality of electrodes are connected to a same type semiconductor layer and are physically separated from each other; 
 at least a first and a second heterojunction within the heterojuntion, each being respectively defined between one of the first and second electrodes and one of the other electrodes connected to the other type semiconductor layer; 
 wherein each heterojunction region forms one of the light emitting units. 
 
   
   
     2. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the power source is an alternate current power source. 
   
   
     3. The light emitting device of  claim 2 , further comprising a rectifying circuit electrically connected between at least one light emitting unit from the plurality of light emitting units and one of the power source and the time delay mechanism. 
   
   
     4. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the time delay mechanism includes a phase shifter for shifting the phase of the power signal by a predetermined amount. 
   
   
     5. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the power source outputs a plurality of periodic discontinuous pulses. 
   
   
     6. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the output of the power source has a frequency of at least 20 Hz. 
   
   
     7. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrodes are diametrically opposed. 
   
   
     8. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrodes are located at the corners of the top surface. 
   
   
     9. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode layer is made of a material selected from the group consisting of Indium Tin Oxide, Indium Zinc Oxide, and Zinc Oxide. 
   
   
     10. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein each light emitting unit is formed by a single individual light emitting diode (LED) of a respective wavelength, wherein the plurality of LEDs are placed in close proximity to each other such that a combination of the lights emitted by each LED is generated after a mixing length from the plurality of LEDs, and whereby said combination of the lights of the first and second wavelengths exhibits a predetermined color in the human vision. 
   
   
     11. The light emitting device of  claim 10 , further comprising a control mechanism for controlling at least a character of one of the plurality of LEDS for altering the color of said combination of lights exhibited in the human vision. 
   
   
     12. The light emitting device of  claim 11 , wherein said control mechanism includes an adjustable resistor for controlling the voltage amplitude applied to the at least one of the plurality of LEDs. 
   
   
     13. The light emitting device of  claim 11 , wherein said control mechanism includes means for controlling the frequency of the power signals applied to the at least one of the plurality of LEDs. 
   
   
     14. The light emitting device of  claim 10 , wherein at least two of the LEDs emit lights of different wavelengths. 
   
   
     15. The light emitting device of  claim 10 , further comprising a phosphor materials coating at least one of the LEDs for altering the wavelength of its lights. 
   
   
     16. The light emitting device of  claim 10 , further comprising a diffuser for diffusing the lights of at least one of the plurality of LEDs so as to reduce said mixing length.